Severely broekn toe, trip in 4 days

[casjen]

UGH I horribly broke my toe, not fractured, Broken. It seems like it would be a nothing injury but my foot and toe are swollen and purple and walking is not an option yet.

3 questions:

Question 1: am buddy taping, icing, wearing my solid Chaco sandals when I do hobble about to try to speed healing. Any other tips? I've been told even for a complete clean break like mine there's nothing that i can do put tape and rest.

I am debating getting an ECV. I used one years ago for a broken ankle (my timing is impeccable)and to be honest I am dreading the thought of one this time. it's summer, it's crazy crowded. people just cut you off, stop in front of you and driving is so hard. I am also PETRIFIED of trying to get it onto the bus in front of a crowd. We stayed off site last time so I didn't need it for the bus. The monorail was scary enough.

Question 2: how hard is it to park on the bus? I won't be able to practice at all ahead of time. I'm also so afraid of getting stepped on. My DH already said if I need to be pushed he wants me on an ECV vs a wheelchair.

Question 3: should I get a DAS card? Will they give me one for that? I know if I get an ECV I can get in line with it. But i worry about trying to stand in lines for a long time. I'm sure my foot and toe will swell. I don't want to get "he looks" but I am pretty sure I'll be limping so that should deter the negativity I know will come my way. Last time I had the ECV I was in a cast so that spoke for itself.

Thanks. I am super sad as I was ready to walk the world. Ugh.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

A fracture and a broken bone are the same thing. What a pain!

Read the DAS sticky; you would not be eligible for this as your problem would be helped by a mobility device. I suggest that you rent one, or get one of these:

http://iwalk-free.com/

If it's good enough for Harrison Ford......

 

[asta]

A fracture and a broken bone are the same thing. What a pain!

Read the DAS sticky; you would not be eligible for this as your problem would be helped by a mobility device. I suggest that you rent one, or get one of these:

http://iwalk-free.com/

If it's good enough for Harrison Ford......

That is an interesting device. I think it is much better than a crutch and with one leg bent behind you it would keep all of those personal space invaders from standing too close to your backside.

 

[SMD]

Use the ECV. I once had a break become infected due to overuse and that hurt much more than the actual broken bone.

 

[mackay_j]

use the ECV - who cares what anyone else thinks of you - I dreaded getting one for the first time in 2012 (july) - But it was quite easy to use and although I look completely healthy - not one single person acted like they were judging me - In fact I found most people very helpful and respectful - One even moved to give me a better spot to watch the specto parade. I have just bought one for my next trip and so that I can do more "walks" and stuff at home with my DH.

 

[PlutoPony]

That is an interesting device. I think it is much better than a crutch and with one leg bent behind you it would keep all of those personal space invaders from standing too close to your backside.

I would be concerned about losing my balance if I was bumped into hard. Also would be interested in how it is to maneuver going up or down a slope, up stairs, or onto a curb especially if in a crowd. I'm walking with a cane right now so may be overly sensitive to those type things. YMMV

I vote rent an ECV, imho it will be challenging to keep the swelling down if you aren't able to elevate the foot and ice it periodically.

 

[bidnow5]

ECV is the way to go I caution against the knee crutch if you aren't using one all the time trying to walk all day in Disney will be real painful in both your knee and the hip

 

[PlutoPony]

Also think about how much pressure/weight you can put on the foot getting in and out of rides. Something like Space Mountain might be really tough to push yourself out of if you essentially can only use your good foot to do it. Maybe having a cane along would help take some of the pressure off that foot when you have to be on your feet?

 

[pbrim]

Get the ECV. If you are worried about parking it on the bus, don't be. The rules have changed. Now you drive it on (straight on up the ramp, then right turn into the aisle), then transfer to a seat. The bus driver will put it in neutral and push it into position and lock it down. At your destination, the driver will unstrap it and turn it around so you just have to drive straight off. Apparently they decided that was much faster and fewer hassles.

 

[asta]

I would be concerned about losing my balance if I was bumped into hard. Also would be interested in how it is to maneuver going up or down a slope, up stairs, or onto a curb especially if in a crowd. I'm walking with a cane right now so may be overly sensitive to those type things. YMMV

I vote rent an ECV, imho it will be challenging to keep the swelling down if you aren't able to elevate the foot and ice it periodically.

I admit an ECV will be easier overall but I think this device would be better than crutches for foot and ankle problems.

On the other hand I have had a knee replacement and this thing gives me nightmares when I think of the pressure on the knee. I would just love to be able to walk without pain.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I broke my pinky toe once and it had to be set it was so bad. I was unable to fit in a regular shoe for six months the swelling was so bad. I was in a lot of pain for a long time. I could not have gone to Disney four days after. I worked on my feet and I think this made recovery worse. I had to tape it and use ice and Motrin. I can't believe something so small could hurt so bad. You need wheels for sure. I would bring zip lock bags and get ice at cs locations and ice it as much as you can. Disney may slow the healing process down. I hope you do well and are able to enjoy the trip.

 

[Kellykins1218]

A fracture and a broken bone are the same thing. What a pain!

Read the DAS sticky; you would not be eligible for this as your problem would be helped by a mobility device. I suggest that you rent one, or get one of these:

http://iwalk-free.com/

If it's good enough for Harrison Ford......

Wow, that contraption looks horrible! I look at the backs of the people in front of me when walking. I'd never notice they had their foot sticking back like that & I'm sure most people wouldn't notice either until it was too late. You'd have people crashing into your injured foot.

 

[bidnow5]

I use a knee scooter around the house it has a much better cushion then the knee crutch I tried using it at an outlet mall I was in pain after 30 minutes and I use it all the time I also agree people will be walking into you foot all day

 

[JenniBugInPink]

Did you seek medical care? I'm a bit surprised they didn't stabilize the toe in any way. Which toe is it? Sandals are not necessarily the best choice of footwear, as they provide no protection for that toe at all. A lace up shoe would be better if you can get one on. If not, a clog even would still provide some protection, and would keep it from bending so much. Has the MD said you can be weight bearing at all, for that matter? Hard to know what to recommend without knowing more. As an old ortho RN, I don't give you bad advice.

 

[Happy Snowman]

When I broke my toe, buddy taping made it worse!! If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, a walking boot might be in order, mainly to protect your foot from getting stepped on in a crowd. You should have your food elevated and icing as much as you can to control the swelling too.

A fracture and a break are the same thing .

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I would postpone the trip. I'm currently laid up with a broken toe, too, and know I could not handle Disney like this, even with an ECV (which I think would make it worse from not being able to keep the leg elevated and all the bumps and vibrations from the moving ECV). It takes six weeks for a broken toe to heal.

I am not walking at all on my broken toe, but using a walker to get around on just my good foot - and that is basically only to go between the sofa and the bathroom (can't get upstairs to my bedroom) while others have to do everything else for me. I need this thing to heal ASAP, so am not doing anything to slow that down. I have tickets for a concert this week and could only go in a wheelchair, so I might not go due to the hassle and because my toe might not do well not being elevated for so long.

I cannot buddy tape my toe because that is contraindicated for the pain disorder in my feet, but due to all the bruising, I wouldn't have wanted to attempt that anyway!

 

[gericoronado]

Personally, I would not postpone the trip. You can buy a walking boot from a medical supply store (and this will be a good investment for your future recovery period). Call one of the many reputable scooter rental businesses that are recommended by this wonderful Disabilities Forum. Wear the boot while using the scooter during your trip.

 

[quakechicago]

I broke my pinky toe the night before a huge summer vacation (not Disney). Badly. It had to be set. My Mom was going with us, visiting from Arizona, and when she saw it first broken she promptly threw up because it was that bad. Our trip couldn't be cancelled and it would have broken my kiddo's heart so we went (Wisconsin Dells, we're in Chicago).

(It's also how I found out from the second fracture in a year that I had a parathyroid adenoma that needed surgery.)

I wished I had an ecv but didn't. I muddled through with a cane for the first few days and that shoe thing (btw, crocs are the perfect height for the other foot) but oy was it a mess. Swimming (well hanging out in water, too painful to move my foot in the water though) seemed to REALLY dramatically help the swelling.

So don't cancel because honestly, you're going to be in pain so you might as well have fun to distract yourself, but do rent an ecv. 10+ miles a day on a broken toe is not smart to try. You could have pain if it sets wrong for the rest of your life so give yourself a chance to heal. Get well soon.

 

[bopper]

You have two choices;
1) Move the trip
2) Adjust your expectations for the trip

Seek medical care and see what they say.

If you decide to go, then tell your family the choice is not go or go slowly helping mom alot.

 

[wendow]

I have broken two toes this year...7 weeks to the day apart...after not having broken a toe in 29 years. Crazy!! The first one I broke a week before Easter and it STILL hurts. Very badly!! We go to WDW in Dec. and I am beginning to worry it will still be hurting and swollen as it is now. The second one that I broke 7 weeks later has healed much better though the initial bruising was worse.

If I were going to WDW today, I'd be walking...though painfully!...but no way could I have walked only 4 days after it happened. I hope you took care of yourself. I hope you are having (or had) a great time and that the broken toe did not impact your trip too much.